A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and hhis erstwhile Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia, in their ongoing N3.1 billion alleged money laundering trial.
In a ruling yesterday, Justice Peter Lifu held, among others, that the prosecution has, by evidence led so far, established a prima facie case against Suswam and Oklobia to warrant the court to call on them to enter a defence.
Justice Lifu also held that the defendants’ no-case submission was without merit. The judge ordered them to open their defence on the next adjournment date and adjourned till September 22.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Suswam and Oklobia on an 11-count amended charge, in which they are accused, among others, of diverting N3.1 billion.
The prosecution claimed that the funds formed part of the proceeds from the sales of the state government’s shares held on its behalf by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
The Nation
